Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/2440/60792
Citations | ||
Scopus | Web of Science® | Altmetric |
---|---|---|
?
|
?
|
Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Wide-field motion tuning in nocturnal hawkmoths |
Author: | Theobald, J. Warrant, E. O'Carroll, D. |
Citation: | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2010; 277(1683):853-860 |
Publisher: | Royal Soc London |
Issue Date: | 2010 |
ISSN: | 0962-8452 1471-2970 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Jamie C. Theobald, Eric J. Warrant and David C. O'Carroll |
Abstract: | Nocturnal hawkmoths are known for impressive visually guided behaviours in dim light, such as hovering while feeding from nectar-bearing flowers. This requires tight visual feedback to estimate and counter relative motion. Discrimination of low velocities, as required for stable hovering flight, is fundamentally limited by spatial resolution, yet in the evolution of eyes for nocturnal vision, maintenance of high spatial acuity compromises absolute sensitivity. To investigate these trade-offs, we compared responses of wide-field motion-sensitive neurons in three species of hawkmoth: Manduca sexta (a crepuscular hoverer), Deilephila elpenor (a fully nocturnal hoverer) and Acherontia atropos (a fully nocturnal hawkmoth that does not hover as it feeds uniquely from honey in bees' nests). We show that despite smaller eyes, the motion pathway of D. elpenor is tuned to higher spatial frequencies and lower temporal frequencies than A. atropos, consistent with D. elpenor's need to detect low velocities for hovering. Acherontia atropos, however, presumably evolved low-light sensitivity without sacrificing temporal acuity. Manduca sexta, active at higher light levels, is tuned to the highest spatial frequencies of the three and temporal frequencies comparable with A. atropos. This yields similar tuning to low velocities as in D. elpenor, but with the advantage of shorter neural delays in processing motion. |
Keywords: | Eye Animals Lepidoptera Photic Stimulation Motion Perception Electrophysiology Visual Acuity Ocular Physiological Phenomena Night Vision |
Rights: | Copyright © The Royal Society 2010 |
DOI: | 10.1098/rspb.2009.1677 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.1677 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest Molecular and Biomedical Science publications |
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.